Transmission



June 2; 1942. l.. A. BIX'BY ETAL TRANSMISSION Filed Sept. l2, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 A TTORNEY June 2 1942. L. A. Bl'xBY ETAL 2,285,105

n TRANSMISSION Filed Sept. l2, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 A TTORNEK June 2, 1942. L. A. BlxBY E1' AL v 2,285,105

TRANSMISSION `Filed Sept. 12, 1938y 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENroRs.

A TTORNEK June 2, 1942. L. A. BlxBY Erm. 2,285,105

TRANSMISSION Filed Sept. 12,4 1938 ASSX'Aeelzs-Shee'c. 4

IN VENTORX:

BY k/Mw MM ATTORNEY.

Patented June 2,1942.

TRANSMISSION Le A. Bixby, Niles, and Robert rapsley, nemen Springs, Mich., asslgnors to Clark Equipment Company, Buchanan, Mich., a corporation of v Michigan Application September 12, 1938, Serial No. 229,407

., 20 Claims.

This invention relates to transmissionaland more particularly is directed to change speed transmissions employed in automotive vehicles such as passenger cars, trucks, busses and the like.

It has become increasingly prevalent to employ synchronizing means on the main shaft of the transmission for effecting synchronization of the shifting clutch and the gears with which it meshes prior to completion of the clutch engagement. Such synchronizing means havetaken many forms but in the main, consist of friction members for bringing the two relatively moving parts to substantially synchronous speed and then allowing completion of' the clutch shifting movement to positively lock the two members for conjoint rotation.

However, considerable difliculty has been experienced in transmissions of the type requiring three or four change speed gear ratios in effecting the shifting due to the inertia of rotation -of the gears carried by the countershaft, which are in constant meshing engagement with certain of the main shaft gears.

In the majority of conventional transmissions which are now in use, the clutch shaft has a gear portion formed at the end thereof within which themain transmission shaft is journalled. This gear portion on the clutch shaft is usually in constant meshing engagement with a relatively large diameter gear on the countershaft, and consequently the inertia of rotation of this large ,gear and countershaft must be overcome to provide for` effective shifting movement without any possibility of clashing gears and without requiring undue shifting force. In some transmissions this is of extreme importance the countershaft gears are formed as a compound gear element having a relatively high mass or are all keyedto a shaft so that the rotation of one requires the conjoint rotation of all of the remaining gears. A

Itis a primary object of the present invention to provide .means automatically operable upon disengagement of the clutch for shifting Amovement for declutching this main countershaft gear from the countershaft to provide for free rotation thereof with the clutch shaft without requiring rotation of either the cofuntershaft or any of the other gears thereon.

It is another object of thel present invention main countershaft gear to facilitate shifting movement. The clutch pedal, upon initial movement toward engaging position, rst reclutches the 'main countershaft gearto the countershaft, and subsequently engages the vehicle clutch for transmitting driving torque to the transmission.

Another feature of the present invention is the 'A provision' of means carried by the countershaft followed whenever the gears are `to be shifted.`

for synchronizing the rotation between the main countershaft gear and the countershaft prior to positive clutch engagement therebetween.

Another object of the present invention is to 'I'he use of power shift mechanisms for trans missions has become increasingly prevalent, and to accommodate our invention thereto we have devised an interlocking mechanism actuated by the operation of the clutch pedal, and controlled through the power shift mechanism for insuring that a predetermined `sequence of operations is This sequence, controlled by the interlock mechanism, requires that the main clutch =be rst 'di'sengaged, then the countershaft clutch be disengaged, and then the shifting clutch be disengaged for shifting movement; upon depression of the clutch pedal. After the power shift mechanism has eected' the desired shifting movement, the clutch-pedal can be released to a position where the countershaft clutch is reengaged and then further released to reengage the main clutch.

Various other features of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description which, taken in commotion with .the accompanying drawings, will disclose to those skilled in the art the particular construction and operation of preferred forms of the present invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional viewthrough a portion of the transmission showing the operating mechanism for clutching and declutching the counterto provide means operated by the clutch pedal for initially disengaging the vehicle clutch beshaft.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a modified form of clutch member;

Figure 3 is an elevational view partly in sec tion, showing a modified vform-of actuatingconnection between the clutch and the countershaft shifting fork;

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic View of the interlock mechanism in normal driving position;

Figure 5 shows this mechanism upon movement of the clutch pedal to a position in which the main clutch has been disengaged;

Figure 6 illustrates the interlock mechanism in position after disengagement of the countershaft clutch;

Figure 7 illustrates the position of the mechanism during power shifting of the gears;

Figure 8l illustrates the return of the mechanism through icountershaft reclutching position;

and

Figure 9 is a somewhat diagrammatic view showing the :connections of the interlock mechanisms of Figures 4 to 8 to a transmission assembly.

Referring now in detail to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1, a transmission case is indicated generally at 5 and includes -a bearing assembly 6 which provides a support for the outer end of the clutch shaft 1, which is axially recessed to receive the roller bearings 8 for piloting the reduced end 9 of the maintransmission shaft therein. 'I'heclutch shaft 1 is provided at its end with an expanded gear portion I2 which is radially spaced from the splined portion I3 of the main transmission shaft I0, and is provided with internal clutch teeth 'I4 adapted to beengaged by the clutch teeth I5 of the clutch member I6 mounted for axial sliding movement upon the splined portion`l3 of the main transmission shaft.

The clutch member I6 is actuated by any suitable shifting means for moving it axially in one direction to clutch the shaft I8 to the shaft 1 to effect direct drive through the transmission, and movable in the 4opposite direction to clutch a second gear carried by the shaft I0 but not shown to the shaft for effecting a different change speed drive.

. Mounted in a radially offset position in the 'transmission housing is a countershaft 20 which has its reduced end 22 journalled in the roller bearing assembly 23 carried in the transmission housing and retained in place by the bearing cap 24.

The countershaft has rotatably mounted thereon the main countershaft gear 25 which is rotatably supported by means of the 'roller bearings 26' about an annular shoulder formed on the countershaft, and the gear 25 is provided with a gear portion 26 adapted to have meshing engagement with the gear'portion I2 of the clutch shaft 1. The countershaft 20 hasa splined portion 21 spaced axially from the V'shoulder about which the gear 25 is mountedf'and the splined portion 21 is adapted to receive the gear member 28 whichis locked thereto for conioint rotation, and which has a gear portion 29 adapted to have meshing engagement with a gear mounted on the main shaft I0. l

A suitable ring 30 isprovided in the splined portion 21 of the shaft 20 for retatining. the gear 28 against axial movement in one direction. Beyond the ring 30 there is provided a clutch hub 32 mounted for sliding axial movement on the countershaft and in splined engagement therewith The hub 32 has an annular groove 34 within which is engaged a shifter fork .35 that is rigidly secured by means of the set screw 36 to a shift rail 31 mounted in suitable journal bosses in the transmission case 5. l

The clutch hub 32 is provided with internal ing engagement with the clutch teeth 39 formed on the gear 25. However, the clutch 32 also carries the tapered synchronizing member 40 which is held in position thereon by the spring-pressed ball member 42. The synchronizing cone 40 is adapted to have frictional engagement with a similar conical surface 43 formed 0n an overhanging part of the gear 25 adjacent the gear teeth 26. The axial-movement of the clutch 32 toward the gear 25 results in initial frictional engagement between the surfaces 40 and 43 whereby the countershaft is brought into synchronized rotation with the gear 25 driven from the clutch shaft 1, and as these two surfaces approach synchronous speed, the camming action produced between the depending portion 44 of the ring 48 and the recess 45 in the clutch allows the balls 42 to be depressed so that the clutch 32 may move relative to the member 40 to engage the clutch teeth 38 and 39 for positively locking the gear 25 and the countershaft 20 together for conjoint rotation.

The synchronizing portion of the clutch 32 may be of any conventional construction and is Y illustrated in the present invention only as showing one form of synchronizing mechanism, but it is to be understood that any type of mechanism of this type can be employed for the purpose of initially bringing the gear 25 and shaft 20 to synchronous speed prior to positive engagement of the clutch teeth 38 with the clutch teeth 39. f

The shift rail 31 is provided with an extending portion 58 of reduced diameter about which is coiled a spring member 52 biased in a recess 53 in the transmission housing at one end, and at its opposite end is biased against a collar 54 formed on the shift rail. The spring 52 normally urges the rail to the left, as viewed in Figure 1, thereby tending to force the clutch 32 into clutching engagement. Mounted on the shift rail 31 is a suitable yoke nut 55 with which is engaged the lower end of a bell crank 56 as indicated at 51. The bell crank 56 is mounted about a fixed pivotv 58 for oscillating movement in accordance with the actuation of a clutch pedal, indicated diagrammatically at 59. This clutch pedal is mounted for pivotal movement on a shaft 60 which controls the operation of the clutch carried within the bell housing 62- bolted l to the ilywheel housing of the power plant. The

1 mounted the arm 65.

clutch pedal 59 is provided with an offset portion 63 adapted to carry a pin 64 about which is This arm has a threaded socket adapted to receive a connecting rod 66 which is locked thereto, and which at its lower end is adapted to extend through a sleeve 61 rotatably mounted in the end 68 of the bell crank lever 56. At its lower end the rod 66 is provided with a headed portion 69, and the sleeve 61 is provided with a atted portion against which the portion 69 is adapted to engage, whereby depression of the clutch pedal results in counterclockwise rotation of the bellcrank 56 about its pivot 58 thereby moving the' shift rail 31 to the left to declutch the clutch 32 from the gear 25.

The structure as shown in Figure 1 is illustrated in declutched position with the clutch pedal depressed to its fullest extent. Upon initial releaseof the clutch pedal the rod 66 will move downwardly, thereby allowing the belly clutch teeth 3a which are adapted to have mesh- 75 25 and synchronizing ring 40 being brought into fun-w.

,gasa/a synchronism, the teeth and 39 are engaged to lock the countershaft and gear together for conjoint rotation'. However, the clutch pedal 59 at n this time has not moved a suflicient distance to effect engagement of the main clutch between the engine and transmission. Further, release of the clutch pedal results in lost motion' between the rod 66 and the bell crank 58 dueto the fact that'the spring 52 has already moved the rail 31 into its shifted position and the bell crank 56 can have no further movement in a clockwise direction. 'I'he rod 66 therefore moves through the sleeve 61 and projects therefrom as indicated in dotted lines 4at 10. It is therefore apparent that the clutching of the main countershaft gear to the countershaft will be effected prior to clutching engagement of the main clutch between the engine and transmission. Similarly, when it is desired to shift gears, initial depression of the clutch pedal 59 results in disengagement of the main -clutch prior to actuation of the bell crank for disengaging the countershaft clutch. Thus the pedal during its downward 4movement successively effects disengagementI of the two clutches, and in its upward movement successively eects engagement of the two clutches whereby the countershaft gear is vnot declutched from the countershaft except at such times that the main clutch has already been disengaged, and this gear is always reclutched to the countershaft prior to re-engaging of the main clutch. n

By providing for disengagement of' the gear 25 from the countershaft, it will be apparent that the inertial rotation of this gear with all of the countershaft gears is eliminated, and consequently it isnot necessary to overcome the inertia of rotation of all of these members during the shifting movement eected by the clutch member I6 or at other clutches on the main shaft of the transmission. This reduces, to a considerable extent, the effort necessary to effect shifting, and insures' that the shifting will be accomplished without clashing of gears due tov the inertia of rotation of the countershaftlgear. As a result, less power is required to effect this shifting movement, and further, the operation of the countershaft clutch is entirely independent 'of the operator and is automatically controlled'l lvention shown in Figure 2, the main difference between this structure and the transmission shown in Figure 1 resides in the countershaft and clutch structure. The main transmission shaft 15 is piloted by the bearings 16 within the end of the clutch shaft 11, and carries thereon a gear 18 which is rotatably mounted bythe bearings- The countershaft is indicated generally at so, and has mounted thereon suitably gears 92, 93

and 94 by means of the keys 95, 96 and 91, re-v spectively. The shaft 90 is provided with a reduced portion 98 upon which is rotatably supported the gear 99 by means of the bearings |00.

This'gear 994 is in constant meshing engagement with-the clutch shaft 11, while the gear 93 is in constant meshing, engagement with the gear 18 rotatably carried on the main transmission vshaft 15.

The countershaft at one end is rotatably jour'- nalled in the transmission housing |02 by means of the bearing assembly |03 retained in position by' the bearing cap |04.- Mounted about the gear 94 is a clutch hub |05 having internal gear l teeth in constant meshing engagement with the gear 94 and slidable axially relatively thereto. The gear 99 has a clutch tooth portion |06 of thesame pitch diameter as'v the gear teeth on the gear 94, whereby axial sliding movement of the clutch |05 will result in connecting the gear.

teeth |06 to the gear 94 to produce conjoint rotation of the gear 99 and the shaft 90. Mounted on the shaft |05 is an annular ring |01 carrying the frusta-conical synchronizing ring |08 which -is adapted to have frictional engagement with a frusto-conical vsurface |09 formed on theV gear 99. A suitable stop ring ||0 which is snapped into engagement about the projectingl portion ||2 of the gear 99 limits outward movement of the ring |01 relativev to the gear 99. \The ring |01 is provided with recessed portions about its inner surface adapted to be engaged by the balls ||3 ment therebetween, the cam surfaces on the de- 19 upon a bushing 80 locked by the thrust wash- A ers 82 and 89 againstv axial movement on a shoulder portion of the main transmission shaft '15. The shifting clutch member-84 is adapted to selectively lock the gear 18 to the shaft 15 throughthe teeth 85 and 36,91' in its other limiting position locks the shaft 15 to the clutch pending lug portions l |4 of the ring |01 produce reactions against corresponding cam surfaces ||5 formed in the clutch |05, which releases the detent engagement of the balls ||3 and allows the clutch |05 to move axially relative to the ring |01 to move the gear teeth I6 thereof into locking engagement between the gear 94 and the clutch teeth |06 of the gear 99. This results in locking the gear 99 and the shaft 90 for conjoint rotation. The movement of the clutch |05 is controlled by a shifterfork ||1 which may be operated in a manner similar to the shifter fork 35 of Figure l, or-any other suitable or desired manner However, it is. desirable that the actuation of the shifter fork be controlled automatically by the clutch pedal so that clutching and declutching of the countershaft and the countershaft main gear will be effected during a period in which the main clutch is disengaged.

In Figure 3 we have disclosed a modified form of the invention in which pneumatic means are employed for effecting operation of the shift rail 31 or of the corresponding shift rail upon which the shifter fork of the embodiment shown in Figure 2 may be mounted. In the transmission shown in Figure 3 the transmission housing is indicated at |20 and is provided with a suitable pedestal |22 in which is. supported the gear shift' lever |23 in any well known'manner. The main clutch shaft is indicated at |24 and the clutch.

, pedal is shown at |25 pivoted on the side of the shaft 11 through the teeth 81 and 88'. This is more or less a conventional construction-and forms no part of the present invention.

bell housing |26 for controlling the clutch bev operating 'within a cylinder |30. Upon depression of the clutch pedal, the plunger is adapted to build up pressure in the cylinder |30, which pressure is transmitted through the flexible conduit |32 into the end of a cylinder |33 in which is mounted a piston |34 to which is connected a y shift rail such as indicated at 31'. Thus, as the clutch pedal is depressed, the pressure built up in the cylinder |30 will act against the outer end of the piston |34 to effect shifting movement of the shift rail for declutching the countershaft from the countershaft main gear. As the clutch pedal is released, initial release thereof will reduce the pressure in cylinder |33 to thereby allow the spring on the countershaft clutch shift rail to re-engage the countershaft clutch prior to the engagement of the main clutch within the main housing |26. It will be noted that the clutch pedal |25, as shown in Figure 3, is in the clutch engaged position and that the extension |28 is disposed a slight distance above the end of the plunger |29, thereby providing for sufficient movement of the clutch pedal |25 to effect 'disengagement of the main clutch prior to engagement of. the extension |28 with the plunger |29. Similarly, the plunger |29 will be released to release the pressure in cylinder |33 prior to movement of the clutch pedal into position to effect re-engagement of the main clutch. Thus, it will be seen that by this arrangement the operation of the countershaft clutch'is effected only during such times as the main clutch is in disengaged position.

In Figures 4 to 8, inclusive, we have disclosed a preferred form of interlock mechanism to 'be associated with any of the conventional types of power shift mechanism for definitely controlling the desired sequence of operations when a shift is to be made.

This interlock mechanism may be mounted in any convenient position between the power shift actuator and the transmission, and is designed to produce a predetermined sequence of control 'of steps during each shifting movement upon actuation of the clutch pedal such that there will be no possibility of clashing of gears or the like f during shifting.

While the power shiftv mechanism is not disclosed herein, it is to be understood that such mechanism may be of any desired type, and may comprise suitable shiftable means for actuating valves to control the actuation of plungers connected to the shift rails of the transmission with independent interlocking mechanismv controlling the actual shifting of gears inthe transmission from one speed ratio to the other. 'I'he present interlocking mechanism is intended to tie in with 1' such a power shift mechanism to the extentof insuring that the main shaft clutch and countershaft clutch will be selectively declutched and reclutched in predetermined sequence during shifting operations by the power shift.

Considering now in detail the structures shown in Figures 4 to 8, the main actuator member is indicated at |40 and suitably mounted for rotation about a pivot |42. An extending arm |43 on this member is suitably connected through the rod |44 to the clutch pedal so that depression of the clutch pedal results in counter-clockwise rotation of the actuator |40 about the pivot with suitable stop members |48 and |49 pivoted respectively on fixed pivots and |52.

The stop member |48 has the clevis |53 connected thereto, which in turn is connected in any suitable m'anner to the countershaft shift rail, such as the rail 31 of Figurevl. The stop member |49 has a suitable clevis |54 connected thereto which, at its opposite end, is connected invany suitable mannerto the clutch member I5 of Figure l or the clutch member 84 of the embodiment shown in Figure Zwhereby the stop member |49 is disposed in the position shown in Figure 4 whenever the gear members are in any change speed driving engagement. The member Mis in the position shown when the countershaft is clutched to the gear 2'5 of Figure 1, and thus the entire mechanism as shown in Figure 4. isillustrated in a position under normal driving conditions with the car in any of its desired speed ratios.

Whenl it is desired to effect a shift of gears, the power shift mechanism is actuated to position the power shift for engaging another gear ratio, which engagement of course is not effective until the clutch pedal has been actuated. Upon actuation of the clutch pedal, the actuator |40 moves from the position shown in Figure 4 to that shown in dotted lines at |40' in Figure 5. At this position, the pedal has been depressed sufficiently to disengage the main clutch between tershaft from the clutch shaft. This results in movement ofthe shift rail 31, which', through the clevis connection |53, results in moving the stop member |48 vinto the dotted line position shown in Figure 5. This movement releases the abutment between the portion |56 of the member |46 and the stop |45 of the actuator L40, thereby allowing the actuator to move past. the stop |55 into the position shown in Figure 6. It will be understood that at this time the countershaft clutch rail has been moved into declutching position, and remains in such position during the movement of the actuator |40 to the position shown in Figure 6. As `the actuator moves in the position shown in Figure 6, suitable means ati-the power shift mechanism is actuated to declutch the main transmission shaft clutch or to move the gears into neutral position. At this time the clutch pedal has been entirely depressed due to the'release of the abutment between the portion |56 and the stop |45, and as the gears in the transmission are shifted to neutral position, the stop member |49 is moved from the position shown in Fig'ures 4 and 5 into the dotted line position shown in Figure 6,

which moves the abutment |58 thereof into a position within the stop |41. VRelease of the ates to shift the gears from the neutral position, it returns the member |49 to the dotted line position shown in Figure 6 for a newly selected gear engagement. The shifting ofthe -gears to this new position results in return of the member |49 from its neutral position shown in dotted lines in Figure 6 and in full lines shown in Figure '7 to the dotted line position shown in Figure 7, which corresponds to the normalfdriving position of this member. As. a result, the stop |58 is released from abutment'with the stop |41, and the actuator |40 is thereby released to an extent such as to bring the stop |46 into engagement with the abutment |60 carried at the opposite end of the member |48. This immediately stopsl the actuator |40 from further clockwise movement, holding the same in a position corresponding to the position shown in Figure 5, in which position the gears of the transmission have been shifted into the selected driving engagement but the countershaft has not as yet been reclutched to the clutch shaft. However, the return movement of the actuator |40 from the position shown in Figure 6 to that shown in Figure '7 results in actuating suitable means at the power shift mechanism for effecting reclutching movement of the countershaft shift rail 31, and as the countershaft is thereby reclutched to the gear 35, the clevis connection |53 returns the member |48 into the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 8, which corresponds to the full line position shown in Figure 4. This withdraws the abutment |60 from the stop |46, thus allowing the clutch pedal to move upwardly and allowing the actuator 40 to move past the abutment |68 and continue in a clockwise direction past the position shown in Figure 8 into the position shown in Figure 4, which results in re-engaging the main clutch and thereby providing for drive of the vehicle through the selected speed in the transmission. i

It will thus be apparentthat with the interlocking mechanism thus shown, an operator may operate the power shift mechanism to select the desired speed, and then upon initial depression of the clutch pedal, will produce disengagement of the main clutch. This position is shown in dotted lines at |40 in Figure 5. After the main clutch has been disengaged, the abutment |56 prevents further movement. of the clutch pedal until the power shift mechanism has declutched the countershaft. This occurs substantially instantaneously so that the operator in depressing the pedal merely has a momentary stop in the position shown in Figure 5, and then proceeds to further depress the pedal to the position shown in Figure 6. At this position, the power shift first' shifts the gears to neutral position, which locks the actuator |40 against return movement, thereby holding the clutch pedal fully depressed during the time that the power shift mechanism` shifts the gears from the neutral position into the desired-driving engagement. As the gears are shifted into this desired driving engagement, the stop member |49 is rotated to release the actuator |40, which then'can move into a position controlled bythe position of the countershaft clutching mechanism. As it moves to this position shown in Figure 7, the power shift mechanism automatically releases the countershaft clutch for re-engagement, which in turn rotates the stop member |48 out of the path of the abutment |46 to allow the further release of the clutch pedal which will re-engage the main clutch. V y

With such an interlocking mechanism itis impossible for the operator to effect shifting of gears until the main clutch and countershaft clutch have been moved into declutched position, andA these two clutches cannot ube re-engaged until after the gears have been shifted to a new driving arrangement. Upon a .new gear ratio being selected and the gears being shifted by the power shift mechanism thereto, the mechanism is so designed as to prevent re-engagement of the main clutch until after the countershaft clutch has been re-engaged. It will thus be seen that the power shift provided with the interlock mechanism shown in Figures 4 to 8 will function in such manner as to provide a predetermined sequence of shift operations in the transmission whenever a speed change is desired, andwill positively prevent any clashing of gears during such shifting.

In Figure 9 we have shown somewhat diagrammatically one way in which the interlock mechanism shown in Figures 4 to 8 might be connected to a transmission assembly employing power shifting means. actuator member |4| corresponds to the actuator |40 of Figures 4 to 8, but in place of the arm portion |43, has an elongated curved arm portion' |10 which at its upper end has a clevis i12 connecting the same-to a clutch pedal or the like.

' Shaft |16.

Intermediate its ends the arm portion |10 is provided with a pivotally mounted link |13, the opposite end of which is connected at |14 to the outer end of a clutch throwout lever |15 mounted on the It will be noted that the pivot |42 for the actuator |4| and the shaft |16 are both mounted on suitable bosses on the side of the bell housing |11 which encloses the clutch assembly. Similarly, suitable projections on the side of the clutch housing |11 provide the pivotal supports |50 and |52 for the interlock links |48 and |49.

The interlock member |48 has the rod |53v power shift mechanism to disengage'the countershaft clutch the shaft moves outwardly of the cylinder, and the stop |84 engages the finger |82 to rock the bell crank |18 in a counterclockwise direction. This results in pulling the stop member |48 downwardly to the dotted line position, thereby removing the abutment |56 from engagement with the abutment |45 and allowing the clutch pedal to be further depressed, it being understood that initial depression of the clutch pedal is limited bythe rotative movement of the actuatorl |4| into position where the stop |45 engages the stop |56. This movement is suicient to insure disengagement of the main clutch,

but no further movement of the clutch pedal can be produced until the countershaft clutch has been disengaged through its power cylinder, after which the stop member |48 is rotated out of position thereby allowing further rotation of the clutch pedal. v

When the clutch pedal has moved into the position shown in dotted lines indicating the same, the main clutch and the countershaft clutch have been disengaged, the power shifting means can` then operate and such Aoperation results in actua- In this form of the invention the tion of the push rod |90 of the gear shift power cylinder |92 which controls the actuation of a clutch sleeve, such as the sleeve IB shown in Figure 1 or the sleeve 84 shown in Figure 2. Whenever the clutch sleeve in the transmission is in'a clutch engaging position, the stop member |49 will be in the position shown in full lines in Figure 9. It will be noted that the rod |54 connected to this stop member has its lower end connected through the bell crank |93 which is connected through the rod |94 to a lever |95 pivotally mounted as at |96 on the clutch housing. The lower end of the lever |95 has a linger portion |91 engaged by the stops or collars |98 and |99 on the shaft |90. Upon shifting movement of the power shift means, the push rod |90 is moved outwardly from the cylinder |92, resulting in clockwise rotation of lever |95,

I and consequent clockwise rotation of bell crank |93. 'I'his results in moving the stop member |49 into position such that the abutment |58 thereof moves beneath the stop |41 on the actuator |4|. This effectively locks the actuator |4 I, and consequently the clutch pedal against return movement until such time as the power shifting means has functioned to move the clutch sleeve in the transmission into gear engaging position, at which time the shaft |90 returns to the position shown thereby withdrawing the member |49 out of locking position.

The clutch pedal and actuator |4| are then conditioned to return, but at this time, due to disengagement of the countershaft clutch, the stop member |48 is in a position such that the abutment |60 is in the path of the stop |46. As a result, the power shift means must re-engage the countershaft clutch .before it is possible for the actuator |4| to continue its return rotation. When the countershaft clutch is re-engaged, the collar |83 of push rod |85 engages the finger |82 to return the stop member |48 to the position shown in full lines in Figure 9. This allows complete return of the actuator plate |4| into main clutch re-engaging position. f

It will be seen therefore that with the present construction the operation of the clutch pedal, which is necessary prior to shifting of gears in transmissions of the type, results in release of the countershaft from conjoint rotation with the countershaft gear which is engaged with the main clutch shaft. Consequently, the inertia of rotation ofthe countershaft and its associated gears is released and does not in any way affect the shifting of suitable clutch means on the main shaft, thereby promoting ease of shifting which facilitates quick shifting and eliminates the possibility of clashing of gears.

We are aware that various changes may be made in details of the mechanism shown herein, and We do not intend to be limited only insofar as defined by the scope and spirit of the appended claims. A

We claim:

1. The combination, with a clutch and transmission assembly including a clutch pedal, f a countershaft in said transmission having a plurality of gears thereon, one of said gears being rotatably supported on the countershaft, a

shift rail parallelling said countershaft, and

spring means engaging said rail and released upon initial engaging movement of said pedal for effecting clutching of said one gear to said countershaft for conjoint rotation therewith.

2. In combination, a clutch having a clutch shaft, an actuating pedal therefor, a gear portion formed on one end of said clutch shaft, a

transmission including a. countershaft, a gear rotatably mounted on said countershaft and in constant meshing engagement with said gear portion, a sliding clutch sleeve on said countershaft movable into and out` of clutching engagement with said gear, spring means normally urging said sleeve into engagement, and means controlled by disengaging movement of said pedal to clutch disengaging position for actuating said sleeve against said spring means to move said clutch sleeve out of clutching engagement.

3. Means for facilitating shifting of gears in a change speed transmission having a countershaft, including a freely rotatable gear in constant engagement with a clutch shaft gear, comprising clutch means between said countershaft and said rotatable gear, a pneumatic actuator for said clutch means, and foot pedal operated means for actuating the same.

4. In a transmission, a countershaft having axially spaced gears thereon, one of said gears being rotatable about said shaft and having a V clutch tooth portion, said shaft being splined intermediate said gears and having a clutch sleeve axially slidable thereon, a shift rail paralleling said countershaft and having a shifter fork engaging said sleeve, spring means normally urging said rail into position to clutch said gear to said shaft, and pedal-actuated means for shifting said rail into declutching position.

5. The structure set forth in claim 4 further characterized in the provision of synchronizing ring means carried by said sleeve and spring locked thereon for bringing said shaft and gear to the same speed prior to effecting coupling therebetween.

6. In combination, a clutch having an operating pedal and a .clutch shaft having a gear portion on one end thereof, a `transmission having a main shaft journalled in the end of said clutch shaft and a countershaft having a freely rotatable gear thereon in constant mesh with said gear portion, shiftable means on said countershaft including a parallelly extending oifset shift rail for clutching said gear to said countershaft, and lever means connected to said rail and having lost motion connection ,to said pedal for actuating said shiftable means.

'7. In combination, a clutch having an operating pedal and a clutch shaft having a gear portion on one end thereof, a transmission having a main shaft journalled in the end of said clutch shaft and a countershafthaving a freely rotatable gear thereon in constant mesh with said gear portion, shiftable means on said countershaft for clutching said gear to said countershaft, and pneumatically actuated means having lost motion connection to said pedal for actuating said shiftable means.

8. In combination, a countershaft, a clutch having a clutch shaft, a gear rotatable on said countershaft and constantly driven from said clutch shaft, a clutch sleeve on said counter shaft for coupling said gear and shaft together for engaging position until after said a clutch pedal, comprising an actuator controlled by said clutch pedal, stop means engaging said actuator upon said pedal being depressed past main clutch disengaging position, means for releasing said stop means upon disengagement of said countershaft clutch to allow said- Pedal to be further depressed, locking means holding said gaged, means responsive. to actuation of said gear shifting clutch for locking said actuator against return'movement until said gear shifting clutch has been actuated, and means assoactuator in said" further vdepressed position of said pedal until a new gearratio is effected in said transmission and then releasing said actuator, said first stop means having means for` tershaft clutch and engageable with said actu` ator for insuring disengagement of the main clutch prior to disengagement of the countershaft clutch, means for locking said actuator against return movement during actuation of said gear selecting and shifting means, and means preventing return of said actuator and .pedal to effect reengagement of the main clutch said pedal comprising an actuator movable conjointly with said pedal, means for stopping said actuator after said pedalhas disengaged said main clutch until said countershaft clutch' is disengaged and then releasing said actuator for further movement, and means .for locking said actuator in fully depressed pedal position while said gear shifting clutch passes through neutral position and until said last-,named 'clutch is moved to engaged position.

12. The combination of claim 11 further characterizedin that said`stopping means includes means for holding said actuator 4in position such that said pedal cannot move to main clutch reclutch is reengaged.

13.v Interlocking means for a transmission assembly including a main clutch, a gear shifting means, and a countershaft clutch, comprising an actuator adapted to'be rotated upon actuation of the main clutch, means for momentarily restraining rotation of said actuator beyond main clutch disengaging position and for releasing said actuator for further rotation upon disengagement of said countershaft clutch, and means for locking said actuator against return until after;

" clutches, of interlock means including an actuator adapted to be rotated by operation of said clutch pedal, means. responsive to actuation of said countershaft clutch for limiting rotation of said actuator beyond main-clutch disengaging position until\ said countershaft clutchv is disenlof ciated with1` said countershaft clutch responsive means engaging said actuator for preventing engagement of said main clutch until said counter- `shaft clutch has been reengaged.

l 15. 'I'he combination, with a change speed transmission vmechanism including a main clutch and clutch pedal, a` countershaft clutch, and a gear shifting` clutch, of interlock means for predetermining the sequence of operation of said clutches including an actuator responsive to operation of said pedal, means optionally engageable therewith for insuring disengagement of said main clutch prior to disengagement of the countershaft clutch, means for locking said actuator in full clutch disengaging position during countershaft actuation of said gear shifting clutch, and means preventing return of said pedal to main clutch engaging. position until after said countershaft clutch has been reengaged.

-16. The combination, with va transmission mechanism including a mainclutch and pedal therefor, a countershaft clutch and operator therefor, anda gear shifting clutch and operator therefor, of interlock means including an actuator controlled by said pedal, control means selectively engageable with said actuator including a locking member controlled by said countershaft clutchl operator preventing disengagement of said countershaft clutch prior to depression of said pedal effecting disengagement of said main clutch, and a second locking member en- I gageable with said actuator when said pedal is fully depressed and responsive to .actuation of said gear shifting clutch operator Ainto neutral position for locking said other two clutches in full disengaged position, said locking members being selectively controlled by said clutch operator's for releasing said actuator to return said medal from depressed position only upon sequentialfengagement of said gear shifting clutch, said countershaft clutch, and said main clutch.

17. The combination, with a transmission mechanism including a main clutch and pedal therefor, a countershaft 4clutch and operator therefor, and a gear shifting clutch and operator therefor, of interlock mechanism for predetermining the sequence of operation of said clutches including an actuator responsive to operation of said pedal, and locking means controlled by said clutch operators and selectively engageable with said actuator upon depression y of said pedal for rst insuring disengagement of said main clutch, then disengagement of said countershaft clutch, and then locking of said two clutches in `disengaged position during ac tuation of said gear shifting clutch. v

v18. The combination, vwith a transmission mechanism including a main clutch and pedal a therefor, a countershaft clutch, and a gear shifting clutch, of -interlock mechanism for predeterand to4 then provide for sequential engagement of said countershaft clutch and said main clutch.

19. The combination, with a transmission mechanism including a main clutch anad pedal therefor, a countershaft clutch, anda gear shiftclutches while said'gear shifting clutch is in neutrai position.

20. The combination of claim 19 wherein saidA last-named means releases said actuator upon shifting of said gear shift clutch to engaged position, and said countershaft clutch responsive means locks said actuaimr in main clutch disengaging position until said countershaft clutch moves to engaged position.

LEO A. BIXBY. l ROBERT LAPSLEY. 

